When the competition resumes this midweek at the Santiago Bernabéu, the two giants face a high-stakes battle with a place in the UEFA Champions League final on the line. Real Madrid took an early lead through Karim Benzema in the first half, yet the advantage did not extend. In the 59th minute, Rodrygo challenged Kepa Arrizabalaga and was met with a decisive challenge that ended in a red card. The on-pitch drama intensified as Chelsea’s defense endured a test late in the opening half, shaping the trajectory of the tie.
Direct angles from the stands and the touchline chatter centered on how the match would unfold in the wake of those early moments. The push to score and the guard held by Chelsea’s goalkeeper became a focal point for fans watching live and pundits later dissecting the game.
The takeaway from the return to action would center on the fateful decisions and the momentum swing that followed. The defender from London exited the field with around 30 minutes left to play, and the game carried on with the visitors pressing for an equalizer while Real Madrid organized a measured reply. The result left both sides to reflect on what happened and what would come in the second leg, with the aggregate score and the atmosphere around the competition weighing heavily on the players and coaches alike.
Referee review from the quarter-final first leg between Real Madrid and Chelsea in the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League
Who was François Letexier, the official in charge of Real Madrid against Chelsea in the 2022-23 quarter-finals?
UEFA named 33-year-old French official François Letexier to oversee the match. It marked Letexier’s first knockout-round assignment in the Champions League, though he had handled several group-stage affairs previously. In total, he had officiated seven Champions League matches before that night. It was the maiden appearance of Letexier in a match featuring Real Madrid, while he had already taken charge of two Chelsea games in the past—one triumph for Chelsea against Malmö (4-0) and another win over Dinamo Zagreb (2-1). This encounter also represented Letexier’s first time refereeing a Spanish side in European competition, introducing questions about how he would manage the pace and physicality of a fixture at the Bernabéu and the tactical demands Chelsea would face on the road. The evening offered a chance to observe a referee navigating the intense atmosphere, the tactical discipline of both teams, and the fast-breaking moments that can tilt a tie in a knockout round. The assessments from observers and analysts would weigh on Letexier’s performance as he moved through his career with a growing list of notable assignments. (Goal)